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Openings

HONOLULU, HI — Here’s a report from the final day at the Varsity Twin.

After 68 years, the Varsity Twin Cinema closed its doors for good yesterday, drawing a modest Sunday audience of theater regulars and foreign-film buffs.

Nu'uanu resident Clifton Hew, who attended a noontime screening of the French comedy “The Valet,” said the Varsity was a “one of a kind” neighborhood theater whose broad aisles and art-house ambience can’t be replaced.

“I’m kind of disappointed to see it go. But I guess we live in the age of multiplexes and it’s more profitable to show several movies on a smaller screen,” said Hew.

YORK, ENGLAND — It has been announced today that the former Odeon Cinema, in York, which closed last August after 69 years, will reopen under the ownership of Reel Cinemas, a company that is bringing the whole movie-going experience back to the cinema.

After months of silence, the company has taken over the lease of the Art Deco, Blossom Street landmark, which is the city’s last remaining pre-war picture house.

The company are hoping that after an intial cleanup the cinema could reopen as soon as August. After that a major refurbishment will take place to create a 5 screen complex with original art deco features being restored. The complex will remain open during this time apart from perhaps the occassional day or week. Managing director Mr Kailash Suri said he was confident that there would be sufficient custom for the cinema, despite there being a multi-screen complex and arts cinemas elsewhere in the city.

CHICAGO, IL — It becomes my sad duty to report that the Inner City Entertainment’s(I.C.E.) Lawndale Theatre here in Chicago’s Lawndale Community was closed and boarded-up permanently this past Monday due to declining attendance. Ironically this theater is only two blocks from the old building that was formally B&K’s Central Park Theater.

TRAVERSE CITY, MI — Michael Moore has announced that the Traverse City Film Festival has acquired the State Theatre. They have plans to keep the theatre open year-round and of course keep the film festival there.

Dear Traverse City Film Festival Volunteers,

I have some very good news for you. Yesterday at 10 a.m., I signed the papers that make the Traverse City Film Festival the new owner of the historic State Theatre in downtown Traverse City! That’s right — the film festival not only now has a permanent home, we are going to re-open the State Theatre as a year-round, state-of-the-art film theater showing the best of American independent, classic, and foreign cinema.

This resurrection of the State has been made possible through the generosity of Rotary Charities of Traverse City — until Tuesday, the owner of the building. They have “sold” it to us for a performance-based mortgage which states that the $600,000 “cost” of the theater is forgiven if we keep it open a certain number of days for at least five years. If we do, the mortgage is torn up and the theater is ours for free.

In order to bring the State back to life, it will take the active involvement of our area’s very large group of movie lovers — namely, you! Those of you who live in the Traverse City area know about the long history of a variety of groups trying to re-open the State. Each group attempted a major fundraising campaign to restore the theater. Sadly, their goals were not met, and the darkened theater changed hands a number of times.

GREENPORT, NY — I’m the new GM for the Greenport Theatre and we are pleased to announce our opening for the year and not the season on Thursday May 24th with a showing of Pirates of the Caribbean 3! Our official grand opening is May 25th where we will be showing Pirates 3, Shrek 3, Spiderman 3 and either Waitress or Away From Her.

We are all very excited about the new beginning here at Greenport Theatre and hope to see you all very soon. Any questions or comments can be directed towards my .

LOS ANGELES, CA — I was walking in Westwood Village after a screening of Spiderman 3 at the Village Theatre. I passed by the National Theatre and the marquee made mention that the theatre will re-open on Friday 11 May 2007. I have no idea who the new operator will be.

CONCORD, CA — After two years of sitting dark, the Solano Twin Drive-In has reopened. Located at 1611 Solano Way, one of the last remaining Bay Area ozoners has been rejuvenated with a fresh paint job, newly paved ramps and a new projection system that promises to bring light to the screen that will rival that of a walk-in theatre.

Drive-In fans were treated to a free double feature on May 3rd of Shrek 2 and Nacho Libre. The Drive-In will continue on May 4th with a double feature of Spiderman 3 and Ghost Rider. Later in the month, the second screen will come to life later in May with another double feature.

West Wind continues value pricing of only $6.50 per person 12 and older. Children 11 and under continue to be free. Tuesdays is bargain night where each adult is only $4.50.